My understanding is that buildings that are built to rent out are of higher technical quality than comparable owned apartments, since the owner's plan isn't to take the money and run but is on the hook for upkeep. And thus more expensive to build.
I've definitely heard the horror stories about condo builders who halfass the work in a way that will last just long enough for it to get into the hands of ownwers and the owners' HOA. My own building had a lawsuit (before my time) that resulted in the original builders paying for a replacement of the entire building's plumbing.
Programs like San Francisco's Local Operating Subsidy Program would not be necessary if the affordable properties covered had higher technical quality (which should translate to lower maintenance costs). The fact that LOSP coverage can go up to 100% of affordable housing operating cost indicates that higher spending is not improving technical quality - if quality were superior, no subsidy to operate would be required.
